World Vision urges Canadians to match government support for Sahel region of West Africa

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada has taken an important step towards helping millions of suffering children and their families in West Africa with the announcement of a matching charitable donations plan, says World Vision Canada's president and CEO Dave Toycen.

"I applaud the government's decision to launch the matching donations program for charities that are working to help those in need in the Sahel region of West Africa," Toycen says. "These donation programs motivate and encourage Canadians to donate and to make a difference in the lives of millions of affected people."

The Government of Canada has agreed to match charitable donations made by Canadians to registered charities working to provide humanitarian relief to West Africa on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The period for the matching donations will run until September 30th. World Vision Canada and other charitable organizations will then be eligible to apply for funding from the Government of Canada from the matching donations fund to be used for both immediate relief projects, as well as long-term development programs that will help people in West Africa become better prepared to handle future food emergencies.

"World Vision teams in Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Chad have been actively working in the areas that have been affected by the food crisis since last November," Toycen says. "With more than 18 million people at risk of severe malnutrition, including more than a million children, the need for a massive humanitarian intervention is growing every day."

"I visited Mali last February and was struck by the scale of the problems facing children and their families in West Africa," adds Toycen. "The combination of rising global food prices, poor growing conditions and, in some cases, political and economic uncertainty, have all created a 'perfect storm' that's similar to the problems we saw last summer in the Horn of Africa."

World Vision Canada is encouraging Canadians to learn more about the crisis in the Sahel region of West Africa by visiting our website at www.worldvision.ca. The site has stories and pictures from World Vision staff in West Africa and offers details on child sponsorship opportunities and how to make a donation to our West Africa Relief Fund. Canadians can also follow the latest updates on this crisis on Twitter by searching #Sahel2012 and can text "World" to 45678 to make a $5 donation using their mobile phones.

"In times of crisis, Canadians have shown that they are among the most generous people in the world, despite difficult economic circumstances here at home," Toycen says. "I am confident they will once again rise to the challenge and show the world that Canada will always be a nation of caring, generous and compassionate people."

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca.

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

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